Implantable prosthesis

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis is provided for repairing an anatomical defect, such as a tissue or muscle defect, that promotes tissue of muscle ingrowth into the prosthesis and subsequently strengthens the area of the defect. The prosthesis is easy to manipulate and may be designed to minimize the incidence of postoperative adhesions between a portion of the prosthesis and surrounding tissue or organs. The prosthesis may include one or more layers of biologically compatible material that is suitable for repairing a defect. The prosthesis may include a support assembly to facilitate manipulation and deployment of the prosthesis. The support assembly may include a stiffening member that is surrounded by material that separates the stiffening member from the layer of material. The stiffening member may be located in a sleeve of material, such as mesh fabric. The stiffening member may be formed from a resorbable material.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an implantable prosthesis and, more particularly, to a prosthesis for soft tissue or muscle defects.DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART[0002]Various prosthetic materials are used to repair and / or reinforce anatomical defects, such as tissue and muscle wall hernias. For example, ventral and inguinal hernias are commonly repaired using a sheet of biocompatible fabric, such as a knitted polypropylene mesh (BARD MESH). Tissue integration with the fabric, such as by tissue ingrowth into the fabric, eventually completes the repair.[0003]In certain procedures, the prosthetic fabric may come into contact with tissue or organs potentially leading to undesirable postoperative adhesions and undesirable tissue attachment between the mesh and the tissue or organs. To avoid such adhesions, a prosthesis may be covered with an adhesion resistant barrier. Examples of such prostheses are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,441; 5,725,577 and 6,120,539, eac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages and overcome certain drawbacks of prior prostheses. Embodiments of the invention may not share the same advantages, and those that do may not share them under all circumstances. This being said, the present invention provides numerous advantages including ease of implantation and promotion of desired tissue or muscle growth.

Problems solved by technology

In certain procedures, the prosthetic fabric may come into contact with tissue or organs potentially leading to undesirable postoperative adhesions and undesirable tissue attachment between the mesh and the tissue or organs.

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